Co-Creating Healthy, Vibrant Communities

Allan Belton has served as PLU's 14th president since 2019, helping the 132-year-old university renew its commitments to community investment and social innovation. In particular, Belton will highlight recent partnerships that have strengthened community health resources, as well as preview plans for future investment and program expansion.

During his years at PLU, Allan has developed a strong vision for PLU’s future. He is deeply committed to the mission to educate students for lives of thoughtful inquiry, service, leadership and care—for other people, for their communities and for the Earth. He is focused on the success of PLU students and providing them with the academic programs and support services they need to pursue their education and meet the needs of a dynamic world. Allan is committed to the belief that PLU will be defined by its uniqueness as a university guided by the values of Lutheran education and will be transformed into a model for other universities, rooted in its calling and highly-engaged in the community.

Prior to joining PLU, Allan enjoyed a 25-year career with Bank of America Merrill Lynch, where he served most recently as Managing Director in global treasury management for higher education, government and non-profit organizations.

Allan grew up as the youngest of eight kids in Zillah, Washington, and was the first in his family to graduate from college. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and an M.B.A. from Washington State University. Allan is married to Melinda Krotz Belton, PLU Class of 1991; they live in Gig Harbor with their three children.